§ Mr. STURROCKasked the Pensions Minister how many Boards, each consisting of three qualified medical practitioners, are sitting daily in the United Kngdom and Ireland; whether the work they discharge is largely routine and could be efficiently done by one qualified man; whether the minimum fees paid to each medical man at present engaged on this work amounts to £1 11s. 6d. per day; and whether, having regard to economy, he can undertake to alter the system prevailing?
§ Major TRYONThere are at present 455 Boards established for the United Kingdom which sit, not daily, but only as occasion requires. For example, the number of sessions held during the week 63W ending 22nd May corresponds with the full time work of 222 Boards. The work of the Boards is by no means routine, but is of a highly technical nature which in very few cases, if any, could be carried out by a single practitioner, and calls for expert examination and diagnosis, followed by consultation between the members in order to secure an equitable assessment. The Minister has considered carefully the possibility of reducing the personnel, but he is convinced that any steps in this direction would be against the best interests both of the pensioner and the State, and would fail to achieve any real economy. The ordinary fee paid to each member of a Board is £1 11s. 6d. for each session of 2½ hours. I do not regard this fee as in any way unreasonable.